Early on the morning of November 5, North Korea conducted a series of short-range ballistic missile launches, the second test in recent days.
According to the announcement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea, the missiles were launched at 7:30 a.m. (local time), flying about 400km towards the sea east of the Korean peninsula.
The South Korean military monitored the launch in real time and shared information with Japan and the United States. As a precaution, it also increased surveillance and vigilance against the possibility of additional launches.
Japan confirmed North Korea's test. Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi stressed that Pyongyang's repeated missile launches threaten Japan's peace and security.
Last weekend, the US-South Korea-Japan alliance conducted a joint air exercise with the participation of US B-1B bombers, South Korean F-15K and KF-16 fighters, and Japanese F-2 fighters in response to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.
According to expert Han Kwon-hee from the Korea Defense Industry Research Association, this missile launch is Pyongyang's direct response to the joint drills.
He said North Korea not only demonstrated its power with long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States, but also had short-range missiles aimed at military bases in South Korea and Japan.
Meanwhile, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement criticizing the US-South Korea-Japan military exercises.
KCNA quoted Kim Yo-jong as stressing that the military actions of the three countries were a legitimate reason for North Korea to step up its nuclear program.
